Category Archives: College of Online and Experiential Learning (COEL)

Krista F. is a Communication major with a concentration in Integrated Marketing. She recently completed a co-op experience with Urban Bike Project, a local nonprofit. There, she helped with updating the organization’s website, posted news and announcements on their social media platforms, prepared brochures/business cards, and attended their events where she took photos to post on their website/social media sites. Read on to learn more about how Krista is making the most of her education here at WilmU.

What would you like to accomplish after you graduate?

I want get out of the financial field where I sit in an office all day, working 8-5. I plan to start work in my field where I can design, participate in marketing events and begin doing what I love!

Do you feel co-op has helped you get closer to attaining your goals?

Absolutely! I loved the hands-on experience, and feel even more confident that I chose the right career pathway. I feel that I gained experience with using social media platforms, building websites and writing for the public (experience that I didn’t have before this co-op experience).

What made you decide to pursue a co-op position?

I was so anxious to begin working in my field, but felt discouraged that many employers require 1-3 years experience in the field for entry level positions. When I saw Wilmington University’s emails that announce co-op positions, I jumped on the opportunity.

What has been your favorite part of your co-op experience?

My favorite part of the co-op experience was learning hands-on how to use the internet as a marketing tool, taking photos at the organization’s events to use in social media posts, and seeing the positive impact that my marketing efforts made for Urban Bike Project! It was a lot of fun!

Would you recommend the co-op program to other students?

Yes yes yes! Co-ops are a great way to give students that experience that they need to get their foot in the door.

Have you heard? The newly-formed Office of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is your one-stop-shop when it comes to internships, co-ops, service learning, senior projects. WIL programs expand learning experiences through employment in a supervised, educational work environments related to your field of study or career focus. Check out our new website to learn more about our offerings!

Wilmington University co-op student Kaitlin Mayhorn edits video in a classroom at the University, November 20, 2014. Tim Shaffer Photo

Joyce M. is a current graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Management (MSM) with a concentration in Human Resource Management. She graduated summa cum laude from Wilmington University in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. While pursuing her Bachelor’s degree, she completed a co-op experience at the University Relations department right here at WilmU. While there, she learned about organic and paid social media posts, digital advertising, Google AdWords, and Google Analytics. Upon graduation, she turned her co-op experience into a way to support herself while she continued on to pursue her MSM. Read on to learn more about the co-op program in Joyce’s own words.

Do you feel co-op has helped you get closer to attaining your career goals?
One of the reasons that I decided to come to WilmU from the community college I attended was because of the professional-oriented degrees. I really wanted to do a marketing/social media internship my senior year to gain both experience and learn new things hands-on. My co-op helped me to apply a lot of what I learned in the classroom. Social media is everywhere and being familiar with it is an increasingly important skill set. I am more confident in my social media and marketing skills as a result of this experience.

What was your favorite part of your co-op experience?
My favorite part of my co-op experience was learning about Google AdWords. There is a lot of data that you can obtain from Google to help direct marketing campaigns and decide what type of advertisements to run. Having this data enables marketers and advertisers to make more informed decisions.

Would you recommend the co-op program to other students?
I would highly recommend that juniors or seniors do a co-op. I think that it is a great way to apply what you have learned and learn new skills on the job. The business landscape can change very quickly and learning new things and adapting to a constantly changing environment is imperative to a successful career. A co-op teaches you how to learn and adapt on the job.

What’s stopping you from building your future? Learn more about the Office of Cooperative Education at our website or by sending an email to capcoop@wilmu.edu.

I recently asked Communication major Phillip H. some questions about his co-op experience. Phillip will be graduating this semester with a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communication. As a part of his degree requirements, Phillip completed a co-op experience. Through co-op, students gain relevant work experience and apply academic theory to the professional world, all while earning academic credit. Read on to learn more about the reasons Phillip took advantage of this valuable WilmU program!

Describe your co-op experience: where did you work, and what did you do there?

I worked at Vantage Labs, an educational technology company in New Hope, PA. I was assigned to the Digital Sports business unit, where I worked on marketing projects for their various web-based software products. This included working with the company’s customer resource management (CRM) system, Excel spreadsheets, research and analysis, strategizing and creating marketing campaigns, as well as contributing to product design and overall direction.

What would you like to accomplish after you graduate?

I would like to work in marketing for the time being, while I continue to convert my interest of web engineering into well-honed skills, so that I can eventually work in product development.

Do you feel co-op has helped you get closer to attaining your goals?

My co-op experience was very beneficial. Not only did it give me experience with contributing real work to an organization, it also helped me understand the little things about the business world that most people entering the workforce might ignore. Things such as HR, interoffice communication, and professional etiquette, are all important factors to understand and consider. I now know what things I want and don’t want in my career, so it is easier to narrow down my future goals.

What made you decide to pursue a co-op position?

I wanted a co-op position because I know how important it is to have work experience when you are entering the job market. In many instances it can also lead to a full-time position before you graduate.

What has been your favorite part of your co-op experience?

The best part of my job was getting to make real, sustainable contributions. My impact was one that I could immediately see, and will be beneficial for a long time whether I continue to work for the company or not.

Would you recommend the co-op program to other students? Why or why not?

I would definitely recommend that all students try and participate in the co-op experience. The experience is very rewarding, and hopefully his or her position will allow them to do meaningful tasks. It will also standout on your resume to future employers.

Because of the growth of our online student population at Wilmington University, we have added a second online navigator to further support students. The Online Learning Department welcomes Lauren Havens, who joins Kelly Clayton as an Online Student Navigator.

Lauren has over seven years of counseling experience and Online Learning. She began her career in the advertising and financial industries and, after attaining her Master’s Degree in Counseling, returned to college to counsel students in Career Development. Lauren has had experience working in large and small organizations and enjoys helping students find their passion and fit that passion into their work. Lauren also teaches online classes with Wilmington University and has helped design an online Capstone Class for seniors.

Kelly Clayton has pioneered the role of Online Student Navigator since 2012. “Having Lauren as a second navigator will enable us to implement initiatives that will further improve your online student experience,” Clayton said.

Many other institutions have a student navigator, helping students overcome obstacles to achievement. But Wilmington University recognizes that online students need support and navigation that differs from their face-to-face peers.

Online Student Navigators provide online students with personalized guidance for their online learning experience. From financial aid, scheduling, and classes, the Navigators are ready to assist you with any questions you may have.

Summer Block 1 2015’s online student of the block is Nadine Charles. Nadine has been working for Christiana Care for 15 years as a Registered Nurse. She is thankful for the partnership between Wilmington University and Christiana Care which has helped facilitate her return to school. Nadine’s goal is to become a leader in her field and mentions that Online Learning at Wilmington University has given her the flexibility needed to continue her education. Nadine also appreciates the support of close family and friends along her journey. She is preparing for her final project and expects to graduate in the Fall of 2015. Great job Nadine!

Think you know everything about co-op? Here are some surprising facts:

Online students from a distance, not just those who live locally, can participate in Wilmington University’s co-op program. If you cultivate your own co-op experience where you live, our office can help you and your employer through that process.

Transfer students: Do you have a co-op or internship at your current school? You can bring that relationship with you and turn it into a WilmU co-op experience!

Employers say they make full-time job offers to 50% of their interns and co-op students upon graduation (California State University, East Bay).

Students who completed co-ops have higher starting salaries upon graduation than non-co-op graduates (Eastern Kentucky University).

Wilmington University requires co-ops to have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5, but many employers request that co-ops have GPAs of 3.0 and higher. Keep those grades up by attending class regularly and seeking help when you need it! Did you know that WilmU offers free tutoring services to ALL students through the Student Success Center? Learn more here: wilmu.edu/ssc

To learn more about the co-op program, visit wilmu.edu/coop or contact capcoop@wilmu.edu.

Renee is currently pursuing a B.S. in Business Management and has a 4.0 GPA. She was chosen as a recipient of the Annual Fund Scholarship and has successfully completed a 10 week Student Leadership Challenge at Wilmington University. Renee was also selected to become a Student Ambassador. As a student, Renee has had the opportunity to give back to her school and local community. She has become a certified volunteer income tax assistant so she can help low to moderate income families complete their taxes. Renee plans to operate a home based wedding planning business so she can provide the once in a lifetime chance for dream weddings to people of all economic backgrounds. Please join me in congratulating Renee!

If you’ve browsed the Wilmington University website recently, you have likely come across the professional work of undergraduate Web Information Systems major Charlie C. He is currently participating in the Co-op program as a Web Communications Assistant in the Web Communications Department right here at WilmU! Charlie plans to complete his Bachelor’s degree this summer, and after graduation, he plans to continue onto a WilmU Master’s degree.

In his role, Charlie handles content updates and design changes on the University website. He says, “The more experience I gain with the team, the more responsibility they give me.” This increased responsibility gives Charlie a feeling of accomplishment: “It shows that they trust me and have faith in my ability.”

Charlie reports to University Webmaster Chris Rubacky, who said: “Charlie was referred to us following the sudden loss of another web team member. Fortunately for us, he was immediately able to fill this role due to his extensive knowledge in web design and development. The entire Web Communications department is extremely thankful to have found Charlie through the Cooperative Education program here at Wilmington University. He has become an indispensable member of our team.”

Charlie’s co-op experience has moved him closer to attaining his career goals. Prior his current position, he worked as a freelance designer, and was actively seeking opportunities to gain real-world experience in a corporate setting. “Through this program I have experienced a real team atmosphere. I sit in team meetings and help on important projects. Also, I am gaining experience in my own field by working with different programming languages.”

When asked if he would recommend the co-op program to other students, Charlie says there is no question: “I think it is an amazing and wonderful thing to offer students. You gain real world experience while earning credit. … Through the co-op program I am not an intern, but a part-time employee. In today’s [job] market, any competitive edge you have over another will help you, and this program does just that.”

Last month, I asked Video and Motion Graphics major Kaitlin M. some questions about her co-op experience. This is an exciting time for her, as graduation is coming up next summer! Kaitlin is well on her way to her career goal: to edit feature films.

Kaitlin began her co-op experience in Summer 2014 at Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel, DE. She is learning real-world, practical skills on the job while earning college credit toward her degree. Read on to learn more about how Kaitlin is making the most of her education here at WilmU.

Describe your co-op experience: where do you work and what do you do there?

I currently work at Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel, DE as a video intern. My main responsibility is to use multimedia outlets to promote the winery. I take pictures and video of the winery, as well as special events, to post on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OwcEioY_D34J9WBWSmIrQ) and other social media sites. I have also started a mini web series for the winery called Harvest Ridge Uncorked, and I am currently working on the fourth episode.

Do you feel co-op has helped you get closer to attaining your goals?

Yes! This co-op is very challenging, but it provides a great opportunity for me to push my creativity. I have also seen just how demanding and time consuming the editing process is, which is something I would prefer to experience now as a student rather than a professional. I’ve learned with editing you have to work on it every day. This co-op gave me the chance to practice my editing skills, really develop them, and I feel I am getting closer to finding my own voice as an editor.

What made you decide to pursue a co-op position?

This is my second Bachelor’s degree, so this time around I wanted to be involved as much as possible. I thought the co-op would give me the opportunity I was looking for to practice my film making skills. I thought it would also help me build my connections and resources that I will later need down the road.

What has been your favorite part(s) of your co-op experience?

My favorite part about the co-op experience, honestly, is seeing my finished product. I never thought I would actually have the time, energy, and talent to create a five minute program, let alone a ten minute program! Seeing the progress I am making makes me feel I am getting closer to my dream of working in the film industry.

Would you recommend the co-op program to other students? Why or why not?

I would absolutely recommend the co-op program to other students, and I have! It challenges you and gives you an opportunity to apply the skills you learn in the classroom. I’ve really discovered new things about myself that I may not have realized if I didn’t apply. You really don’t have anything to lose and everything to gain when applying for a co-op position.

Sergio is a Behavioral Science major who expects to graduate next summer. After graduation, his goal is to join Delaware’s Probation and Parole department. Further down the road, he would like to join a local police department. Along his path toward achieving those goals, he obtained a co-op position at the Ferris School for Boys, a level 5 correctional/treatment facility for adjudicated males ages 13 to 18. He completed his co-op experience just this past summer.

I asked Sergio what made him decide to pursue a co-op position, to which he replied: “A situation at work motivated me to pursue the co-op program. I’m a security guard at a local commercial building. One day, my supervisor and I responded to call regarding an intoxicated individual. Long story short, we detained an intoxicated juvenile carrying an open container. I felt bad for the child because he spilled his life story with us. A month later, I received an email about an opportunity at Mowlds Cottage [a six-week transition program that follows a stay at Ferris School]. This opportunity allowed me to observe the rehabilitative process from the staff and juvenile point of view.”

When asked his favorite part of his co-op experience, he says: “My favorite part is hearing stories from each of the employee about their goals and motivations to work with at risk juveniles. I spoke with the staff and I found the majority are passionate about helping the children to succeed. The staff wants the children to leave the lock-down facility with better career and education skills, confidence and coping skills.”

Sergio says he recommends the co-op program to students with similar career goals and a passion to help children attain a better pathway in life.

Tim lives and works on the West Coast. He earned a BSN from Washington State University in December 1999, and has been employed by a large urban hospital as an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse since 2000. Through progressive leadership roles, he currently acts as nurse manager for two inpatient oncology units. Despite no formal business education, in his spare time Tim also co-founded a microbrewery in 2010. Tim is a dedicated father to three children and spends many nights a week cheering from the sidelines. To assist him in excelling in his current role and continued growth in his career, Tim chose to continue his education with an MBA concentrating in Health Care Administration. Wilmington University offered just the right balance of quality, flexibility, and affordability. Classes have been engaging and enlightening given his daily work role. With all this, Tim still maintains a GPA of 4.0. Please join me in congratulating Tim on being our featured student of Fall Block I!

Mat, seated at center, at a meeting held by Senator Carper of Delaware.

I had the opportunity to ask undergraduate Government and Public Policy major Mat M. a few questions about his experience as a co-op. He expects to graduate in May 2015, after which he would like to manage Democratic political campaigns in Delaware and beyond. Reading about the co-op program on our website helped Mat solidify his decision to transfer to Wilmington University.

Read on to find out how Mat is opening doors in his political career and enriching the value of his education through cooperative education.

Describe your co-op experience: where do you work and what do you do there?I work for the U.S. Senate as Senator Carper’s Deputy New Castle County Director. I take meetings with constituent groups, staff the senator while he is in the county, and handle small business outreach.

I also work for Senator Carper’s campaign committee as its Political Director, where my duties range from fundraising and donor management to working with the Democratic Party to support its ticket in the 2014 election. Both jobs are being used for co-op credit.

Being on Senator Carper’s staff has opened many doors for Mat.

Do you feel co-op has helped you get closer to attaining your goals?Absolutely. My experience with Senator Carper’s staff could never be replicated in a classroom. That’s not just because of the kind of work I have in my own portfolio. A huge part of the value in my experience has come from working with the colleagues, friends, and mentors I’ve found on Senator Carper’s staff. I work every day with people whose passion for public service, diversity of experience, and collective knowledge has taught me more in the past two years than I’ve learned at any time since I took an interest in politics. It’s important to get a college education for the contextual and foundational understanding of your work, but nothing will teach you to do a job better than doing a job.

What made you decide to pursue a co-op position?I’ve been interested in politics and public service since an 8th grade internship with the City of Newark’s Parks and Recreation Department, and I’ve been steadily involved in campaigns and internships since then. By the time I transferred to Wilmington, I was Senator Carper’s driver and had been working with his team for about a year. It was just a matter of connecting the dots that I could use my work experience to earn credit.

What has been your favorite part(s) of your co-op experience?Strictly speaking, my favorite part of the co-op is the fact that I get to go to work and earn credit at the same time. But the co-op has enhanced my work experience, because it pushes me to search for a deeper analysis in the work that I do.

Would you recommend the co-op program to other students? Why or why not?Absolutely. Frankly, it would benefit every college student to round out their education with work experience. The co-op program not only allows you to advance your career by getting work experience before earning your degree, it also gives you a deeper understanding of everything you’ve learned up to that point, and a broader perspective on everything that you learn thereafter.

John Repici lives in Burlington, New Jersey and is a graduate of Burlington County College. He chose Wilmington University in 2013 to continue his education because of the excellent price and convenience. This past Fall he was in four courses (first semester at Wilmington) and was fortunate enough to be on the Dean’s List for the semester. This summer John will be in his final five courses and is very proud to be the first individual in his family to earn a college degree. John is completing his Bachelor’s degree in just one academic year after transferring in his Associate’s degree. Immediately after graduating, he will continue at Wilmington for either an MSM or MBA with a marketing concentration. Congratulations John for being chosen as Summer Block II student of the block! Your accomplishments are impressive!

One of the earliest examples of distance learning was an advertisement for a short hand correspondence course that appeared in the Boston Gazette in 1728. (Wikipedia, Distance Education)

And almost 300 years later, Wilmington University offered its first online course. In the fall of 2007, a BBM 300 level class was given a trial run. The course wasn’t promoted, it was just quietly introduced. At the conclusion of the course, staff members were enlisted to call each student to get feedback.

Image courtesy of ddpavumba/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wilmington University has come a long way since then. After this trial period, we started promoting online programs in 2008. Our first programs offered fully online were Human Resource Management and Business Management.

Today, in the spring of 2014, Wilmington University offers over 80 online programs – undergraduate and graduate, concentrations, and certificates. These programs cover a huge range of subject matter, from behavioral science to computer security, sports management and health care administration. Even traditional degree programs include classes online.

Khushbu P. is yet another Wilmington University student who is busy expanding her future through a co-op experience at SSD Technology Partners. A Computer and Network Security major, Khushbu desires to work in the information security field after graduation, in hopes of landing a position with a government agency. She feels her co-op experience has helped her get closer to attaining that goal because of the hands-on experience she is immersed in from day to day.

Obtaining this hands-on experience was the very reason Khushbu contacted Office of Cooperative Education director David Caffo about co-op opportunities. Her advice to other students who might be considering the co-op program? Take advantage of the free elective space in their programs. “Most students don’t use free electives to their benefit, and I thought the co-op program was a wonderful idea. It gives students the opportunity to see how the real world works, to get experience to put on their résumés, and this helps them land a job faster.”

Vienna, an undergraduate Information Systems Management major and Math minor, obtained a co-op position within Wilmington University’s Office of Institutional Research. When asked what prompted her to pursue a co-op position, Vienna cited her busy lifestyle: “I love being on the move and constantly doing something, so the co-op position seemed like the perfect solution.”

Vienna’s post-graduation goal is to obtain a full-time job working for Disney, and she feels her co-op experience has helped her toward attaining that goal because of the valuable workplace skills she has gained. Vienna says she has learned relevant computer skills, has become more detail-oriented, and has become a more confident and skilled communicator thanks to her co-op experience. Through her work as a co-op, Vienna feels she is a useful and helpful asset to the University. Wilmington University co-ops like Vienna contribute significant work to their organizations – work that is also relevant to their field of study and/or career focus.

When asked if she would recommend the co-op program to other students, Vienna says, “Absolutely! This experience has been so wonderful and I have gained so much. I hope that everyone else gets the chance to have a similar experience.”

Jennifer is an undergraduate Marketing major who is currently in her senior year at Wilmington University. She heard about the co-op program from the instructor of her Consumer Behavior course, and decided to pursue a co-op position in order to gain relevant work experience for a career in marketing. “It was a good way to get my foot in the door,” Jennifer says.

Jennifer obtained a co-op position right here at WilmU, in the University Relations/Marketing department, and the experience has been very rewarding. Jennifer says, “I really like that this department includes me. I get invited to every meeting.” She has been developing her skills in advertising, particularly Google Analytics and Google AdWords. By promoting these valuable skills through the social networking site LinkedIn, potential employers have already reached out to Jennifer – and she has not even graduated yet! In addition, the co-op program’s flexibility has allowed to keep her two other jobs while attending school full-time.

Jennifer’s story is a great example of how a co-op position provides hands-on experience related to a student’s major field of study or career focus. Gaining practical on-the-job experience, developing confidence, gaining professional contacts, and testing applications of academic theories are just a few of the ways students can benefit from a co-op position.

This blog is for Wilmington University students. It has information on student services, academic resources, and tips to help students achieve their educational goals.

Wilmington University Online Blog

This blog is for Wilmington University students. It has information on student services, academic resources, and tips to help students achieve their educational goals. Wilmington University online degree programs combine the same quality, real-world academics of traditional degree programs with a flexible online format. Earn your degree in a way that fits your life.